Health and Wellbeing
Co-chairs: Rosemary Cragg, Adele Kenny and Helen Bates
Aims
We aim to promote activities and opportunities that support wellbeing for our community of staff and students. Responding to the needs of our community as derived through consultation, surveys and feedback from previous events, we will endeavour to signpost resources and provisions of support for all.
Women's Health Network
In response to communicated needs and experiences of our community (e.g., focus groups and surveys), we have developed initiatives in response to the health and wellbeing needs of our community. One of these initiatives is our active Women's Health Network
The network provides support around:
- Emergency sanitary initiative
Emergency sanitary products available for staff and students in gender neutral/ladies toilets across the WMS/School of Life Sciences site
- Prolapse & Incontinence information and support Professor Sorinola, one of the UK's leading urogynecologists has recorded some expert advice to support WMS staff with any questions around prolapse and incontinence.
- Menopause support (as below)
We are always open to suggestions as to how we can best support our community.
Menopause Support
Our activities have focused on improving the working and learning environment for women throughout their menopause transition. Activities have included:
-an online webinar (attended by >200 staff);
-provision of online resources;
-supporting a PSS colleague to participate in nationally-recognised training (Henpicked) to become a menopause champion;
-leading the design and delivery of line manager training around staff support during menopause; and
-providing 'Menopause Cafe' drop-in support.
Click here to read more about our Menopause support
Men's Health Group
- Our newly created Men's Health Group was launched on International Men's Day in November 2024. We sought feedback from the community to form group activities throughout 2025. Further information will be posted here in due course.
- We also ran a "Male role models for good" nomination process to celebrate the Men in our community in November 2024.
Research Culture
- There is now signposting to a range of wellbeing resources from our Research Culture webpage to ensure that staff can find information easily in times of need.
Future Plans
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We now run an annual Gibbet Hill (WMS/School of Life Sciences) Wellbeing Day in May each year. This is very well attended and we welcome all volunteers to support the event.
- If you would like to get involved with any of the health and wellbeing activities/ groups please contact us